Erric almost collapses. He forces himself to remain vertical, asking Anafrey and Jambiya if they are okay. "What about Maldorn? Do you think someone stole his bow and used it to try to shoot at us? Maldorn?!!!"
He also wonders if they should try to stabilize the last kenku, bind it, and then to try to ask it some questions. He hasn't even gotten to all the other dozens of questions swirling around his head.
Maldorn spends the next dozen seconds or so slowly approaching the rest of the party: "I'm here, Aeric, and so is my faulty bow. Well done companions. It would seem my elbows and wrists are rustier than I presumed. I will strive to be of better use if we are ever to find ourselves in combat together again." His one finger that is not protected by leather gloves is bleeding, but the old ranger does not seem to mind it. He then excuses himself for a brief moment: "I believe I will give some of those crooked arrows a second chance, if I can find them."
He steps towards the area where the two foes that survived the longest were once hiding, searching for his inaccurate arrows. He is satisfied once he finds two of them, considering the loss of the other two as part of his self-imposed cost for a failed hunt.
She stands up from her hiding shrub and (ignoring the mangled, melted Kenku near her), runs up to Erric, checking the Kenku on the ground by him. "I don't know what is going on, either," she says, "But I'm afraid we've killed them all." She will check the Kenku for signs of life, then move on to the one that was still hidden.
Assuming they have all fled this mortal coil, she will come back to the open area where Erric and Anafrey fought the second Kenku, and plop down in the grass. "Here you guys," she waves her hand over the ground, and a bunch of small plants pop out of the grass, growing bright red berries that seem to inflate, they grow so fast. "These should help you feel better." She will pluck one and munch on it.
"Why would they makes us hurt them?" She looks up at you all, looking for all the world like a lost little green girl.
OOC > She will cast Goodberry, which she should have done last night, but did not. She will eat one of them, and y'all can fight over the other 9 hp worth. If her examination of the Kenku (she does not have Medicine, so I didn't bother with a check) reveals one of them to be still alive, she will call the others over, cast Goodberry and then feed one to the creature, but I don't expect that will be the case.
"Did that... was I... that fight.... I ran straight at... why was I thinking I was a heroic warrior? Running straight into a fight? Those arrows were so sharp... nearly killed you both..." He struggles to slow down his breathing. The adrenaline has just kicked in and he's lost quite a bit of blood. His eyes try to focus. "I'm used to... surprises of this kind being a bit less bloody."
He looks to Anafrey for guidance before the other two approach -- "you seem so calm... have you done this sort of thing before? Thank you for saving me after I ran at them. I just thought... shooting arrows and stones back and forth would just get us killed with them hidden so well. Why did they attack us? Could they even understand us? Why did they make us kill them? Are they really dead? Can we try to save them and talk to them? Why were they here? Did they know we were coming? Was this an ambush? If not why were they here?" The questions spill out of him in a frenzied rush before he realizes Jambiya's joined them.
He expression melts. "My magnificent warrior queen! Are you okay? You were hurt... and you had to hurt them. It's... a lot. I know. Let me know what you need. You also, well, there were sparkly things that came out of your hands. Did you know that? Also, well, your hands, they, um, they look normal now. Are you okay?"
Erric will take whatever goodberries are available (OOC: he is 2/9 hp) as he sits down and tries to stabilize the nasty dagger wound the kenku gave him.
He looks up as Maldorn approaches, and a faint smile washes over him. "My friend, you're safe! I was worried about you. Arrows? It's funny, one of the really big ones landed RIGHT next to me, it's over there in the dirt. What happened sir? I thought we'd lost you. What did you see? Didn't you say something about tracks earlier? Could you tell how many? What do you think we should do?"
He realized he's been spouting questions nonstop in a haze, as a distraction from the surprise fight. He takes a deep breath, grateful that he didn't have to write a tragic story so soon.
Anafrey mutters under her breath, dusting off her clothing and feeling rather foolish. She gathers her dropped items, but doesn't bother to look for her missing arrow. She straps her bow to her backpack and loosen's the bow string enough to carry it strung across her body rather than in the quiver holster, then pulls out the bodies of the kenku, and searches them for anything useful.
Without looking up at Erric she says gruffly, "If you're asking if I've fought and killed before, I'll give you a moment to ponder whether you truly need an answer. But this is why its my preference to approach weapons drawn. Every one wants to play at parlay until their first ambush."
To Jambiya, "Give the lion's share of your snacks to Erric, I'll take what remains. Was this your first real combat? You did well, the both of you."
After Anafrey finishes searching the Kenku, she stretches her arms and neck, and finishes whatever's left in her boot flask.
Sitting next to the dead Kenku as the party gathers, she looks up at Erric. "I... I've been having these dreams... it's all very confusing, but there's a beautiful woman, like a tree, and anyway, since I've been having them, my hands," and she holds them out to look at them as if they are foreign to her, "Well, I'm doing things with them. They crackle with energy, and then there's that way they look like claws..." her voice trails off.
She looks up at Anafrey's comment, then nods and stands up. "We should investigate, before we get ambushed again. But you're right, miss 'frey, weapons drawn," and her hand crackles with energy.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Once Maldorn is back from recovering his arrows, he responds to Erric’s question: “I do my best work from afar, young bard, though there is plenty of room for improvement. We are a hunting party now. I may be far but will not abandon you, unless those spoons never cease.” He smirks. “And yes, I saw some tracks. We should all stay lively. I recall four sets of bird tracks. One of them might still be out there.”
Maldorn then sits on a rock and pull out a piece of precut porous fabric from a satchel. He begins to dress his self-inflicted wound: “I won’t need any of the magical berries, yun’ Ms. Seldom. Thank you nonetheless.”
OOC > So, 1 berry to Jambiya (already accounted for on her character sheet), 7 berries to Erric, and 2 to Anafrey? Puts every injured character within a point or two of max.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"Should we search for the fourth bird guy, or investigate the manor? I'm not excited about leaving one at our backs, but every adventure I've been on with my fathers they just barreled on in. This isn't much like a remember those being." She glances regretfully at the crumpled, still smoking Kenku closer to the building.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Anafrey takes the shortsword in hand, keeps an arrow for herself and considers pocketing the money, but sighs and hands it over to Jambiya. "I'd only waste it on booze anyhow. I'll take a quick look around before we go inside. I assume you'll all keep your eyes open?" She gives Erric and Jambiya a big-sister stare and then nods curtly to Maldorn, hoping her meaning is well taken.
She points out the remaining two daggers, two shortbows, and 16 arrows to the party in case anyone needs equipment then walks a tight circle around the house looking for any sign of kenku IV.
If Maldorn can't use the arrows for his longbow, Erric has a halfing-sized shortbow that can likely fire them. He used his sling this fight but with a bit of warning he would likely use the bow.
"I'm very grateful for your sparkleclaws, Ms. Seldom-Kettlegrip. We'd be dead without them," he tells Jambiya as they assemble themselves. He's very grateful for the berries, and tries to offer the seventh to Anafrey as she heads out. He's also happy to join the wake of Anafrey as she scouts around. As he walks, he invites his companions to keep a watchful eye. He's looking for any clues of other sentient creatures, evidence of struggle, clues about what happened to the house, recent signs of activity. (Providing both perception 20 and investigation 16 -- Erric's not very good at this kind of thing)
"Anafrey, I think what Jambiya and I were trying to say earlier was that walking up to someone's door with an arrow nocked doesn't give them much choice other than hostility. Strung bows in hand aren't quite so... undiplomatic. I suppose I should probably unstring my bow more often, but you I'll obviously never be the archer that you or Maldorn are."
"But now that there's no chance for diplomacy, you are truly correct. Arrows nocked, bows drawn, blades unsheathed, magic fingers sparkling..."
(OOC: Holy cow, +0 modifier for the not-so-perceptive bard and he gets literally the first nat 20 I've ever rolled using those generators!)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Maldorn sees Anafrey and Erric leave their gathering point to do some reconnaissance and decides to stay back with Jambiya this time (I assume we are right in front of the burnt house now). "Well, if they are looking around the woods, I guess it is our job to keep an eye on the house" Maldorn then eyes the front of the house, trying to pick up on any details that might hint at a fourth enemy:
-> Perception: 15 (if Natural Explorer is allowed to kick in, please add another 2 to this roll.)
Maldorn then picks the 16 arrows left behind, adding then to his quiver. He then digs into one of his pockets, retrieving two mushed berries: "Yun' Ms. Seldom, I think these old berries have lost their magic already. They are way past their expiration day. I would hate to waste this gift you gave me back when we first begun traveling, though. Would it be unwise to eat them now?"
OOC > Survival 23, Perception nat 20, Perception 22... Jambiya can't compete with that, so we'll just role-play the eff out of waiting for your results! :)
Jambiya
She will crouch, examining the house with Maldorn, but she's not concentrating very hard. "It sounds odd to me when you call me 'miz Seldom,' because nobody does that. My dads call me 'darling' or 'light of my life.' Customers call me by my name if they're friendly, or 'girl' if they're not, or 'green cheeks' if they're being fresh. Erric just flatters me, which is not too terrible, actually. Miss 'frey and I have always been like sisters, though she thinks herself the older one. But you have always treated me like a lady. You're a nice man, Master Whitehare."
"Oh, those berries are probably not too good. I can grow some more tomorrow. Did you know I gave myself a name? I think Jambiya might be the name of one of Daddy Pops' old relatives. But I picked my middle name, Saxifragicae. I saw it in one of Grumpy Pops' books, it's a kind of mossy thing. Green! Like me. Names are funny." She twirls her fingers in the grass, causing little flowers to pop out, seeds to sprout and float away on the breeze.
"Grumpy Pops thought it was a good choice, he said it was 'Sassy, like you are!'" she says in a dwarvish brogue.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The four novice adventurers walk the 75 or so feet of the tree-lined "road." When they reach what would be considered the front yard, all four can easily see what Erric saw earlier: This woodland clearing is both secluded and picturesque, but the house within is a burnt out ruin. Much of the roof and upper floor has collapsed, but it appears that the walls of the ground floor are largely intact. An arched entrance, its doors long gone, allows easy access to the blackened remains of the building.
Anafrey starts around the house, keeping closer to the trees, but watching for anything. Erric decides to follow, his eyes especially keen. (Which direction does Anafrey head? 1=clockwise, 2=counter clockwise: 1
The party splits!
Anafrey and Erric:
Walking around the north end of the house, Erric prattling on, but still doing a magnificent job of paying attention to his surroundings, the two discover what must have been a magnificent flower garden on the north side of the back yard. It has been left to grow out of control, and now a sprawling mass of vibrant blooms, pervasive weeds, and dying shrubs carpet the area. Keep going?
Maldorn and Jambiya:
As he waits patiently, Maldorn's naturally keen eyes scan the front yard. He sees something which looks out of place about half way toward the house: something light colored and flat half covered by some debris. Do you investigate?
As long as nothing sticks out as dangerous, Erric's fine with continuing and completing the circuit of the house. Does there seem to be signs of struggle in and around the house? Panic? Debris? An attack? Arrows? As in, does this fire seem an accident or part of an assault?
"When did our illustrious assigner say that this house had been constructed? I thought it was a fairly recent thing. The garden's fairly overgrown. Do you see anything suspicious apart from a lazy gardener? I don't see track nor feather of Maldorn's fourth birdperson."
As the huntress and bard approach the garden, Erric's keen eyes once again alerts him that something seems amiss with the plants. Something about them seems ... threatening.
Erric almost collapses. He forces himself to remain vertical, asking Anafrey and Jambiya if they are okay. "What about Maldorn? Do you think someone stole his bow and used it to try to shoot at us? Maldorn?!!!"
He also wonders if they should try to stabilize the last kenku, bind it, and then to try to ask it some questions. He hasn't even gotten to all the other dozens of questions swirling around his head.
"What in the nine hells just happened?"
Maldorn spends the next dozen seconds or so slowly approaching the rest of the party: "I'm here, Aeric, and so is my faulty bow. Well done companions. It would seem my elbows and wrists are rustier than I presumed. I will strive to be of better use if we are ever to find ourselves in combat together again." His one finger that is not protected by leather gloves is bleeding, but the old ranger does not seem to mind it. He then excuses himself for a brief moment: "I believe I will give some of those crooked arrows a second chance, if I can find them."
He steps towards the area where the two foes that survived the longest were once hiding, searching for his inaccurate arrows. He is satisfied once he finds two of them, considering the loss of the other two as part of his self-imposed cost for a failed hunt.
Jambiya
She stands up from her hiding shrub and (ignoring the mangled, melted Kenku near her), runs up to Erric, checking the Kenku on the ground by him. "I don't know what is going on, either," she says, "But I'm afraid we've killed them all." She will check the Kenku for signs of life, then move on to the one that was still hidden.
Assuming they have all fled this mortal coil, she will come back to the open area where Erric and Anafrey fought the second Kenku, and plop down in the grass. "Here you guys," she waves her hand over the ground, and a bunch of small plants pop out of the grass, growing bright red berries that seem to inflate, they grow so fast. "These should help you feel better." She will pluck one and munch on it.
"Why would they makes us hurt them?" She looks up at you all, looking for all the world like a lost little green girl.
OOC > She will cast Goodberry, which she should have done last night, but did not. She will eat one of them, and y'all can fight over the other 9 hp worth. If her examination of the Kenku (she does not have Medicine, so I didn't bother with a check) reveals one of them to be still alive, she will call the others over, cast Goodberry and then feed one to the creature, but I don't expect that will be the case.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"Did that... was I... that fight.... I ran straight at... why was I thinking I was a heroic warrior? Running straight into a fight? Those arrows were so sharp... nearly killed you both..." He struggles to slow down his breathing. The adrenaline has just kicked in and he's lost quite a bit of blood. His eyes try to focus. "I'm used to... surprises of this kind being a bit less bloody."
He looks to Anafrey for guidance before the other two approach -- "you seem so calm... have you done this sort of thing before? Thank you for saving me after I ran at them. I just thought... shooting arrows and stones back and forth would just get us killed with them hidden so well. Why did they attack us? Could they even understand us? Why did they make us kill them? Are they really dead? Can we try to save them and talk to them? Why were they here? Did they know we were coming? Was this an ambush? If not why were they here?" The questions spill out of him in a frenzied rush before he realizes Jambiya's joined them.
He expression melts. "My magnificent warrior queen! Are you okay? You were hurt... and you had to hurt them. It's... a lot. I know. Let me know what you need. You also, well, there were sparkly things that came out of your hands. Did you know that? Also, well, your hands, they, um, they look normal now. Are you okay?"
Erric will take whatever goodberries are available (OOC: he is 2/9 hp) as he sits down and tries to stabilize the nasty dagger wound the kenku gave him.
He looks up as Maldorn approaches, and a faint smile washes over him. "My friend, you're safe! I was worried about you. Arrows? It's funny, one of the really big ones landed RIGHT next to me, it's over there in the dirt. What happened sir? I thought we'd lost you. What did you see? Didn't you say something about tracks earlier? Could you tell how many? What do you think we should do?"
He realized he's been spouting questions nonstop in a haze, as a distraction from the surprise fight. He takes a deep breath, grateful that he didn't have to write a tragic story so soon.
"Does anyone know what's really going on?"
Anafrey mutters under her breath, dusting off her clothing and feeling rather foolish. She gathers her dropped items, but doesn't bother to look for her missing arrow. She straps her bow to her backpack and loosen's the bow string enough to carry it strung across her body rather than in the quiver holster, then pulls out the bodies of the kenku, and searches them for anything useful.
Without looking up at Erric she says gruffly, "If you're asking if I've fought and killed before, I'll give you a moment to ponder whether you truly need an answer. But this is why its my preference to approach weapons drawn. Every one wants to play at parlay until their first ambush."
To Jambiya, "Give the lion's share of your snacks to Erric, I'll take what remains. Was this your first real combat? You did well, the both of you."
After Anafrey finishes searching the Kenku, she stretches her arms and neck, and finishes whatever's left in her boot flask.
~♡~
Jambiya
Sitting next to the dead Kenku as the party gathers, she looks up at Erric. "I... I've been having these dreams... it's all very confusing, but there's a beautiful woman, like a tree, and anyway, since I've been having them, my hands," and she holds them out to look at them as if they are foreign to her, "Well, I'm doing things with them. They crackle with energy, and then there's that way they look like claws..." her voice trails off.
She looks up at Anafrey's comment, then nods and stands up. "We should investigate, before we get ambushed again. But you're right, miss 'frey, weapons drawn," and her hand crackles with energy.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Once Maldorn is back from recovering his arrows, he responds to Erric’s question: “I do my best work from afar, young bard, though there is plenty of room for improvement. We are a hunting party now. I may be far but will not abandon you, unless those spoons never cease.” He smirks. “And yes, I saw some tracks. We should all stay lively. I recall four sets of bird tracks. One of them might still be out there.”
Maldorn then sits on a rock and pull out a piece of precut porous fabric from a satchel. He begins to dress his self-inflicted wound: “I won’t need any of the magical berries, yun’ Ms. Seldom. Thank you nonetheless.”
OOC > So, 1 berry to Jambiya (already accounted for on her character sheet), 7 berries to Erric, and 2 to Anafrey? Puts every injured character within a point or two of max.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
[ooc : agreed!]
~♡~
Jambiya
"Should we search for the fourth bird guy, or investigate the manor? I'm not excited about leaving one at our backs, but every adventure I've been on with my fathers they just barreled on in. This isn't much like a remember those being." She glances regretfully at the crumpled, still smoking Kenku closer to the building.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Searching the three kenku, Anafrey finds a shortsword, two daggers, two shortbows (one unstrung), 16 arrows, 1 gold piece, and 23 silver pieces.
Anafrey takes the shortsword in hand, keeps an arrow for herself and considers pocketing the money, but sighs and hands it over to Jambiya. "I'd only waste it on booze anyhow. I'll take a quick look around before we go inside. I assume you'll all keep your eyes open?" She gives Erric and Jambiya a big-sister stare and then nods curtly to Maldorn, hoping her meaning is well taken.
She points out the remaining two daggers, two shortbows, and 16 arrows to the party in case anyone needs equipment then walks a tight circle around the house looking for any sign of kenku IV.
survival : 23
~♡~
Jambiya will pocket the money, for the group. (Party treasury: 1 gp, 23 sp)
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
If Maldorn can't use the arrows for his longbow, Erric has a halfing-sized shortbow that can likely fire them. He used his sling this fight but with a bit of warning he would likely use the bow.
"I'm very grateful for your sparkleclaws, Ms. Seldom-Kettlegrip. We'd be dead without them," he tells Jambiya as they assemble themselves. He's very grateful for the berries, and tries to offer the seventh to Anafrey as she heads out. He's also happy to join the wake of Anafrey as she scouts around. As he walks, he invites his companions to keep a watchful eye. He's looking for any clues of other sentient creatures, evidence of struggle, clues about what happened to the house, recent signs of activity. (Providing both perception 20 and investigation 16 -- Erric's not very good at this kind of thing)
"Anafrey, I think what Jambiya and I were trying to say earlier was that walking up to someone's door with an arrow nocked doesn't give them much choice other than hostility. Strung bows in hand aren't quite so... undiplomatic. I suppose I should probably unstring my bow more often, but you I'll obviously never be the archer that you or Maldorn are."
"But now that there's no chance for diplomacy, you are truly correct. Arrows nocked, bows drawn, blades unsheathed, magic fingers sparkling..."
(OOC: Holy cow, +0 modifier for the not-so-perceptive bard and he gets literally the first nat 20 I've ever rolled using those generators!)
Maldorn sees Anafrey and Erric leave their gathering point to do some reconnaissance and decides to stay back with Jambiya this time (I assume we are right in front of the burnt house now). "Well, if they are looking around the woods, I guess it is our job to keep an eye on the house" Maldorn then eyes the front of the house, trying to pick up on any details that might hint at a fourth enemy:
-> Perception: 15 (if Natural Explorer is allowed to kick in, please add another 2 to this roll.)
Maldorn then picks the 16 arrows left behind, adding then to his quiver. He then digs into one of his pockets, retrieving two mushed berries: "Yun' Ms. Seldom, I think these old berries have lost their magic already. They are way past their expiration day. I would hate to waste this gift you gave me back when we first begun traveling, though. Would it be unwise to eat them now?"
OOC > Survival 23, Perception nat 20, Perception 22... Jambiya can't compete with that, so we'll just role-play the eff out of waiting for your results! :)
Jambiya
She will crouch, examining the house with Maldorn, but she's not concentrating very hard. "It sounds odd to me when you call me 'miz Seldom,' because nobody does that. My dads call me 'darling' or 'light of my life.' Customers call me by my name if they're friendly, or 'girl' if they're not, or 'green cheeks' if they're being fresh. Erric just flatters me, which is not too terrible, actually. Miss 'frey and I have always been like sisters, though she thinks herself the older one. But you have always treated me like a lady. You're a nice man, Master Whitehare."
"Oh, those berries are probably not too good. I can grow some more tomorrow. Did you know I gave myself a name? I think Jambiya might be the name of one of Daddy Pops' old relatives. But I picked my middle name, Saxifragicae. I saw it in one of Grumpy Pops' books, it's a kind of mossy thing. Green! Like me. Names are funny." She twirls her fingers in the grass, causing little flowers to pop out, seeds to sprout and float away on the breeze.
"Grumpy Pops thought it was a good choice, he said it was 'Sassy, like you are!'" she says in a dwarvish brogue.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
The four novice adventurers walk the 75 or so feet of the tree-lined "road." When they reach what would be considered the front yard, all four can easily see what Erric saw earlier: This woodland clearing is both secluded and picturesque, but the house within is a burnt out ruin. Much of the roof and upper floor has collapsed, but it appears that the walls of the ground floor are largely intact. An arched entrance, its doors long gone, allows easy access to the blackened remains of the building.
Anafrey starts around the house, keeping closer to the trees, but watching for anything. Erric decides to follow, his eyes especially keen. (Which direction does Anafrey head? 1=clockwise, 2=counter clockwise: 1
The party splits!
Anafrey and Erric:
Walking around the north end of the house, Erric prattling on, but still doing a magnificent job of paying attention to his surroundings, the two discover what must have been a magnificent flower garden on the north side of the back yard. It has been left to grow out of control, and now a sprawling mass of vibrant blooms, pervasive weeds, and dying shrubs carpet the area. Keep going?
Maldorn and Jambiya:
As he waits patiently, Maldorn's naturally keen eyes scan the front yard. He sees something which looks out of place about half way toward the house: something light colored and flat half covered by some debris. Do you investigate?
Assuming we're sticking to spoilers:
As long as nothing sticks out as dangerous, Erric's fine with continuing and completing the circuit of the house. Does there seem to be signs of struggle in and around the house? Panic? Debris? An attack? Arrows? As in, does this fire seem an accident or part of an assault?
"When did our illustrious assigner say that this house had been constructed? I thought it was a fairly recent thing. The garden's fairly overgrown. Do you see anything suspicious apart from a lazy gardener? I don't see track nor feather of Maldorn's fourth birdperson."
Anafrey and Erric:
As the huntress and bard approach the garden, Erric's keen eyes once again alerts him that something seems amiss with the plants. Something about them seems ... threatening.
Anafrey is anxious to press on, but notices Erric's hesitation. "What is it?"
[ooc : are we able to continue scouting around, avoiding the garden?]
~♡~